Barkley and TNT Crew Praise Blake Griffin

Wow. The TNT crew just had very nice things to say about Blake. Even Barkley. I'm stunned.

ClipperB23

01/21/2014 - 12:54 AM PST

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Ah I missed it! What'd they say?

CapsNClips

01/21/2014 - 12:59 AM PST

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I...don't...believe...it

Voyeur

01/21/2014 - 01:11 AM PST

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Just how Blake has really stepped up since Paul went down. It actually started when they showed highlights of this game. You could hear Barkley say how Blake's been playing great.

Then the panel discussed Blake overall and how well the team is doing since Paul's injury.

Chris Webber commented that Blake is playing well due to Doc's influence.

Barkley suggested their past comments about guys like Howard and Blake (which Howard addressed with some annoyance after tonight's game) are more critiques than criticisms (something like that). Barkley reminded us that he criticized Blake for not "imposing his will" but has become more aggressive in Paul's absence and is playing great. He did say he hopes Blake will continue to play this way when Paul comes back instead of deferring to him.

Then Shaq referred to Barkley's earlier criticisms that Blake has no post game by suggesting Blake has at least 4 post moves to go along with improved jumpers. And reminded the guys that Blake's been recently averaging in the high 20's and is "doing just fine".

So it was all very nice to hear. Even though their input has become less and less relevant over time.

ClipperB23

01/21/2014 - 01:21 AM PST

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^ Thanks Voyeur! I was curious to hear what they would say. I'll be sure to give you a rep tomorrow I already used one today!

Voyeur

01/21/2014 - 01:21 AM PST

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Thanks. No biggie. I wish I had a way to post the vid.

Steady818

01/21/2014 - 01:23 AM PST

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Video is up on nba.com if you guys want to check it out.. Under the NBA ON TNT tab in their video sections

^Thanks for posting the video! It's amazing (probably shocking too, lol) that the TNT crew showed some love to Blake and the Clippers. What will they say when the Clippers actually win the championship? That they knew it all along? Lol Can't wait for that!

cleepers

01/21/2014 - 10:53 AM PST

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^ Shaq's always had Blake's back... ever since he bequeathed the "Superman" nickname to him, and said that the only players he lets his son watch are LeBron and Blake "because I want him to see how to play the game the right way". When he has criticized him, it has been on the basis of a single game and has been very fair.

Barkley on the other hand, is a frontrunner who changes his opinions more often than he changes his underwear.

Big-ups, Diesel.

Voyeur

01/21/2014 - 11:02 AM PST

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Yeah but earlier this season, Shaq was starting to give in to the criticisms from Barkley and Kenny Smith a bit.

A_DOG_NAMED_BUD

01/21/2014 - 12:19 PM PST

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I thought I misheard Charles when he actually gave Blake credit for once. It is hard to criticize someone who's averaging 22.5 pts, 10 reb, 3.4 asts, and shooting 52% from the field.

Well they might talk some cr*p but Blake has started doing what Barkley wanted him to do so he gave some credit.

FightOnRon

01/21/2014 - 02:27 PM PST

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They must have been high...............

FightOnRon

01/21/2014 - 02:32 PM PST

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Surprised with his ego Barkley didn't take credit. Look,they were nice for one day (holiday nice), let's see what happens next time we are on TNT.

IMHO though,watching Blake yesterday i have to say he has really stepped up,really stepped up. His game is just a stone cold pleasure to watch.

Kingkanyon

01/21/2014 - 02:44 PM PST

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I caught that last night, not surprised, as much as Clippers fans think Charles is being hard on Blake, I just think he wants the best for him, so he doesn't say what Blake does well he just point's out all the stuff he needs to improve on.

But....

It took them long enough. Blake has been playing this well really since mid-December so I see no reason why he wouldn't be even better when CP3 returns. As well as he's playing though when CP3 returns he need to do a better job of Catching and going before the Double team gets their, not all the time but just here and there to keep the defense off guard.

CP3 over dribbles, lol

ClipperDB

01/21/2014 - 03:02 PM PST

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I never thought Sir Charles was off base whenever he made derogatory comments about BG - it was never personal. I think Charles had valid points. But BG has made GREAT improvement this season, starting with his foul shooting. His F/T is the biggest thing that affected his improved offense. It is nice to see Charles acknowledge Blake, but he is correct about wanting to see BG AFTER cp3 gets back. KEEP UP GOOD WORK, BG.................

Voyeur

01/21/2014 - 03:05 PM PST

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I might agree except I thought they were really over the line (especially Kenny Smith) with their criticism of Blake in that GSW game early this season. Blake was awesome the whole game and they inexplicably singled out a bad play on one of his THREE missed baskets all night.

Exactly, I really enjoy the show cos it's fun not for any serious analysis.

cleepers

01/22/2014 - 09:57 AM PST

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^ They show it in the UK?

Voyeur

01/22/2014 - 10:19 AM PST

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And now, Stephen A Smith has announced on First Take that, as far as he's concerned, Blake has "debunked" all the talk about him being soft:

He also ranks the Clippers (with CP3) to be 2nd to OKC in the West by season's end.

pageC4

01/22/2014 - 10:27 AM PST

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There are some positive signs. Portland lost at Houston and OKC, so if they go on a losing streak we may gain some ground.

Silasie

01/22/2014 - 10:58 AM PST

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God no! Basketball on British TV................I should be so lucky.

No I just watch the clips on NBA.com.

Voyeur

01/22/2014 - 11:07 AM PST

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Wow. I respect your commitment. I'm not sure I could put up with just watching on a computer.

cleepers

01/22/2014 - 11:08 AM PST

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Yeah, that's what I thought. I sure don't remember there being any "netball" on telly back when I still lived in Blighty.

Silasie

01/22/2014 - 12:28 PM PST

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If you don't have any option you take what you can get

Silasie

01/22/2014 - 12:31 PM PST

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They used to show NBA games on Channel4 in the 90's but since then nada.

Laak

01/22/2014 - 08:45 PM PST

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The TNT crew is 99% comedy, 1% basketball. However I find most of their basketball analysis to be correct. I had no problems when the crew criticized Blake for much of his first 3 years, because what they said mostly true.

They heckled Blake a bit during the beginning of this season, however that was still based on what they saw from Blake last year. The crew's just saying things as it is, and Blake definitely deserves praise for this season's improvements.

Voyeur

01/23/2014 - 09:50 AM PST

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Did you know that Blake is 5th in the league in number of field goals made per game at 8.4?

LMA and Durant are tied at the top with 10.0.

LeBron is 3rd with 9.6.

Carmelo is 4th with 9.2.

Then Blake with 8.4.

Love is next with 8.3.

Not a bad collection of names there. Of that group only LBJ has a higher FG% than Blake.

This guy makes some intriguing points. I don't agree with all his opinions about Paul, but I do think Blake's progress has been somewhat stalled a bit the first two years with Paul, though unintentionally so.